Northern League: Malia wants momentum from Jarrow in promotion bid
There is a busy weekend lying in wait across the North East non-league scene.
Jarrow manager Kennie Malia has challenged his players to build on their Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup win at FC Hartlepool by boosting their bid for promotion with a win at Chester-le-Street Town on Saturday.
Malia’s men have rediscovered their defensive solidity following their 2-0 defeat at Division Two rivals Seaham Red Star earlier this month because recording three consecutive one-nil wins in all competitions. League wins against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion and FC Hartlepool were following by the narrow cup victory against the latter on Wednesday night as Jay Barber got the only goal of the game at Grayfields.
Jarrow will now aim to move a step closer to securing a play-off spot at least and keep alive their feint title hopes with a win against the Cestrians on Saturday - but Malia has warned his players they will face a ‘tough side’ at Moor Park.
He told The Gazette: “We know Saturday will be a very difficult game because they are a tough side with some very good players who can hurt you if you are not on it from the first minute. However, we will hopefully take the positives from Wednesday night’s cup win at FC Hartlepool and go to Chester-le-Street full of confidence. We are also hoping we have a few more lads back because we have found it difficult during the last couple of games with injuries and availability.”
Lewis Rutherford could return to contention after being cup tied for the midweek cup win and Malia will check on the fitness of several other members of his squad.
Non-League Day fixtures
SATURDAY
National League: Gateshead v Yeovil Town - NE10 0EF
National League North: AFC Fylde v Darlington - PR4 3JZ, King’s Lynn Town v Spennymoor Town - PE30 5PB, South Shields v Alfreton Town - NE32 3UP
Northern Premier League Premier Division: Hebburn Town v Lancaster City - NE31 1UN, Hyde United v Stockton Town - SK14 5PL, Morpeth Town v Leek Town - NE61 2YX
Northern Premier League East Division: Blyth Town v Heaton Stannington - NE24 3PS, Consett v Pontefract Collieries - DH8 7BF, Newton Aycliffe v Blyth Spartans - DL5 5AG, Redcar Athletic v Bishop Auckland - TS10 3RW
Northern League Division One: Newcastle Blue Star v Penrith - NE15 7HB, Carlisle City v Crook Town - CA1 3AF, North Shields v Thornaby - NE29 0SS, Marske United v West Auckland Town - TS11 7BW, Northallerton Town v Boro Rangers - DL7 8HA, Birtley Town v Easington Colliery - DH3 2QW, Newcastle Benfield v Guisborough Town - NE6 4NU, Whitley Bay v Horden CW - NE25 8HR
Northern League Division Two: Yarm & Eaglescliffe v Durham United - TS23 4AG, FC Hartlepool v Redcar Town - TS24 8PJ, Park View AFC v Tow Law Town - DH3 3SH, Esh Winning v Sunderland RCA - DH7 9BQ, Chester-le-Street Town v Jarrow - DH2 3BX, Prudhoe YC Seniors v AFC Newbiggin - NE42 5EH, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Boldon CA - NE40 3SN, Seaham Red Star v Alnwick Town - SR7 0BH, Billingham Synthonia v Newcastle University - TS19 0QD
Your next football read: Sandro Tonali responds after Newcastle United ‘gentleman’s agreement’ transfer bombshell